Flying machine



Jul),l 21, 1925.

C. E. GLESSNER FLYING MACHINE Filed May 31. 1924 Ummm `To alll'whom e't may concern:

Patented July 21, '1925.- l

`UNITED STATES lPrin-.ENT oFFlcE.

CHARLES E. GLESSNEB, '0F PORTLANDLOBEGON.

FLYING MACHINE.

Application led Hay 81, 1924. Serial N0. 717,027.

altitude and then ilying in the desired direction. A

A second object is to utilize the principles employed in airplanes for raising the ma- L chine vertically.

A third object is to provide a-high degree of stabilityv to the device and to so construct same that a minimum number of operators will be required. l

A fourth object is to reduce the danger caused by the stalling of an engine. I

l accomplish these results in the manner set forth in the following .specification and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which `Figure 1 is a plan of my device, Figure 2 is a section taken along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1. Figure 3 is a section taken along the line 3 3 in Fig. 1. Figure 4 is a plan of Fig. 3.

Similar numbers of reference refer to the same parts throughout the several views.

llt will be understood that the drawings are largely diagrammatic and such small vdetails as stays, fasteners, skin coverings to reduce resistance. detailI structure of the airplane units, etc.. havebeen omitted, owing to thev small scale at which the drawings are made, and to their well known functions in the art of flying. v

Referring in detail .to the drawing, Ihave illustrated my device in its preferred embodiment in which it takes the form of a triangular trussed frame 10,in each of whose rounded vertexes is placed a turret 11 rotatably mounted in the circulark guides 12.

^ On each turret 11 is pivotally mounted an vairplane 13 in the trunnions 14. Each airplane 13 is provided with the usual wings 15, propeller'l, rudder 17 and elevator 18. A skin 19 of suitable material mav be employed to cover the frame 10.

In the center of the triangular frame 10 is placed a turntable, including an outer ring 20 and an inner ring 21, preferably of channel trussed metal'. The two rings 20 and 21 are joined together by means ofthe plate or lattice work 22. The plate 22 projects beyond the ring 20 and is used to fas .ten the brace wires 22A and 22B. The wires 22c fasten to the lower leg of the ring 20. v l

The outer ends of the wires 22A, 223 and 22C are fastened to the trussed frame 10 after the fashion of a bicycle Wheel.

Light rails -23 are placed on the inner sides ofA the channel-shaped rings 20 and 21 and support the flanged wheels 24 which are joined by the axle 25.. From the axle 25 is suspended a post 26. There are preferably four sets or pairs of wheels 24 and` four posts 26 whose lower ends 27 are adapted to rest upon the ground when the device is not in light.

Between the posts 26 is mounted a car 28 provided at its rear end with a rudder29, which is broken away in Fig. 2. Suitable windows 30 are provided in the car 28. l

It will be observed that the axles 25 of the wheels 24 are tied together by a channel iron ring 31, which preferably extends completely around the turntable between the rings 20 and 21, and if desired may be' su ported at midway points by other wheels, if it seems necessary.

I have also indicated a gas bag 32 for holding helium, or other buoyant gases, which bag may occupy the space inthe frame 10 not occupied by the rings 20 and 21 and the turrets 11. v

The operation of my device is as follows: When resting upon the ground in order to make the device rise in the air it is necessary to start the propellers on each of the planes 13, and by manipulating the rudders 17 hold the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, which is radial tothe center of the frame 10. This action causes the trarne 10 to,rotate .while the car 28 is restin on the attained by the planes they are directed up-v wardly by controlling their ailerons and elevators in the usual manner, causing the frame 10 to be lifted with same. -When the desired height is attained the planes are maneuvered around in the direction shown ound. When suicient speed has en in full lines in Fig. 12 causing the entirethe motors stall,.'that the plane will still act as a glider sustaining its portion of the weight,l if not adding its propelling force for the time being. If this should occur while the ascent is being made it is easily seen that the gyratory action of the frame.

1 0 land its attached parts will prevent any `not intended to be sufficient to raise the device under ordinary circumstances.

The entire novelty in my device resides in the employment of supporting planes for lifting purposes, in which thel planes are confined to a circular orbit, giving a muchl better liftin action for the amount of power expended t an is possible, for instance, where a propeller, is merely turned horizontally and driven at a high rate of speed, as is the common practice with machines now known as helicopters and gyroplanes.

Or, to restate the matter, the device gains its increased lifting power from the great length vof air base on which the planes can act. In other words, the air is not churned by the planes with which it comes in contact without having the opportunity to come to a state of comparativerest before bein again acted upon. This is further accented during climbing, in which the planes follow ahelical path so that practically all of the vair suppprting the planes is new or undis- Vlifting turbed a1r.

I am aware that many forms of heavierthan-am flying machines have been constructed in the past, I therefore do not claim such devices broadly, but I do intend to cover all such forms and modifications of my device as fall within the appended claims, n which airplanes can be confined to a circular orbit in order to unite their .ell'ect and to limit the area required to chmb to the desired altitude-in other words, lay-'confining the travel of the planes to a' hehx to permlt their rising or landing onIaclre'latively small space of ground.

h 1.111 a'eying machine, the combination mesma of a frame; three or more rotatable turrets circumferentially mounted on said frame about its gyratory axis; and airplane units hinged on transverse axes on said turrets adapted to permit said planes to change their vertical angles offlight.

2. In a flying machine, the combination-of a fiat frame; three or more rotatable turrets circumferentially mounted on said frame -about its gyratory axis; Aairplane units hinged on transverse axes on said turrets adapted to permit said planes to change only their vertical angles of flight; and a carv supported by said frame.

3. A Aflying machine having, in combination, a triangular frame member; a plurality of airplane units pivotally mounted on said frame member; and a car pivotally attached belowr said frame in a manner that said frame can be rotated without rotating said car.

4. A flying machine having, in combination, a trussed triangular frame; a turret formed at each vertex of said frame; an airplane-Vunit hinged on each of said turrets; a turntable formed in the center of said frame; and a car rigidly depending from said turntable.r

5. A flying machine having, in combination, a trussed triangular frame; a-turret formed at each vertex of said frame; an airplane unit hinged on each of said turrets; a

turntable formed in ,the center of said frame;

a car rigidly dependi from said turntable; and means for control g the angular position of said car in relation to said frame.

6. In a flying machine', the combination of a trussed triangular frame; an lane unit pivotally hinged at each vertex o said frame; a turntable mounted in said frame; gas containers confined in said frame; a car ri 'dly dependingrfrom'said turntable; and ru der means on said car.

7 In a iiying machine, the combination of a covered triangular frame with a plurality of airplane units pivotally mounted vover various parts of said frame, each of said planes being connected to said frame by means of a inged pedestal which-will permit said plane to change its fore and aft level but will hold its wmgs parallel to said frame; a turntable formediin said frame; a gas container occupying all of said frame not occupied by sai dly depending from said `turntable pe.

a ted to end stability to said flying mac 1n CHARLES E, AGrl'JESSNIER.

turntable; and a car lll 

